Jan. 11—MORGANTOWN — West Virginia’s biggest loss to the transfer portal has found his new home down south.
Wide receiver Cam Vaughn is reportedly transferring to Miami, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Vaughn joins the Hurricanes, who are slated to play Indiana in the National Championship game on Jan. 19. He also joins a strong WR room that includes true freshman Malachi Toney, who’s already one of the best receivers in the country.
Vaughn was the biggest loss for the Mountaineers this cycle. Just days before he announced he was going to transfer, Vaughn said on Instagram Live that he was a “Mountaineer for life.” Then, the leading receiver changed his mind to join one of the top squads in college football.
Vaughn had a strong 2025 season, even with the revolving door of quarterbacks. He was WVU’s go-to WR when it was third and long. The quarterback would just chuck it up to Vaughn, and he’d either come down with it or draw a pass interference. Vaughn had 35 catches for 541 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 15 yards per catch.
Vaughn’s departure was surprising, not only because of what he said on social media, but also because he was one of Rich Rodriguez’s guys that he brought over from Jacksonville State. Vaughn led the Gamecocks in 2024 with 48 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns. Vaughn was originally a quarterback at Jacksonville State, and Rodriguez converted him into a receiver, where he had success.
Vaughn did have his on-field issues. There was one play against Texas Tech, where the WVU quarterback threw an underthrown ball that was intercepted in the direction of Vaughn, and he didn’t try to chase down the defender. As Rodriguez likes to call plays like that, that’s a “loaf.”
This move could’ve been a case of multiple things. Rodriguez and Vaughn might’ve butted heads, so it was best for Vaughn to leave. Or, Vaughn wanted to be on a bigger stage and compete, so Miami was the better option. It also could just be over money or being closer to home, since he’s from Georgia.
Rodriguez filled his absence quite quickly. The Mountaineers have added four receivers during this cycle, so although losing Vaughn hurt, it shouldn’t hurt too badly.
